Protesters pelt Aussie embassy with marshmallows

Protesters hurled marshmallows at photos of Australia’s prime minister and foreign minister yesterday in a rally to vent their anger over Canberra’s repeated criticism that Manila’s pullout from Iraq encourages terrorism.

More than a dozen protesters carried placards denouncing Australian Prime Minister John Howard and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, who have blamed the Philippines for setting a bad precedent by giving in to the demand of Iraqi insurgents threatening to kill a Filipino hostage.

The marshmallow pelting at the Australian embassy in Makati City was in reaction to Downer’s comments Tuesday that "government isn’t about always easy decisions or being a marshmallow."

The Philippines summoned Australian Ambassador Ruth Pearce on Wednesday to object to Canberra’s questioning the country’ resolve to combat terrorism and blaming it for subsequent hostage-taking incidents in Iraq.

During a party for journalists in Manila late Thursday, Pearce acknowledged strains in relations between the two countries.

"I am confident that the differences we have encountered this week are differences respected by friends, siblings even, differences that do not threaten highly valued mutual interests and values," she said.

Jessie Diamisip, a spokesman for the leftist group Akbayan, which organized yesterday’s protest, called on Howard and Downer to "stop hurling criticisms against the Filipino people."

"We see this decision as a just and principled decision, not only for the Filipino people but the whole world who are calling for peace," he said.

Some critics have called for the recall of Ambassador to Australia Christine Ortega but Malacañang said the diplomatic protest given to Pearce was sufficient.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert was reportedly "assessing if it is necessary" to recall Ortega "for consultation" following Canberra’s criticism.

"I don’t think any further action is called for. It is enough that we have handed the Australian ambassador the diplomatic protest," Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye told a press briefing. "A diplomatic protest is a strong action."

Despite the diplomatic row, an Australian embassy source said an invitation for President Arroyo to visit Australia still stands.

The United States has also criticized the Philippines’ pullout, saying it would encourage more abductions and attacks from militants.

Bunye said Malacañang hopes relations between the two countries will normalize soon.

"We recognize that we have had misunderstandings but our experience is that we always bounce back. And we have maintained a long and enduring relationship. And we feel that our alliance, our friendship with the United States will continue to remain strong."

Undertaking damage control over her decision, the President had earlier sought to reassure the United States and other allies that the Philippines remains committed to the global war on terror.

US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone left last week for Washington for what he described as "consultations" to re-evaluate relations between the two allies.

The Philippines’ reputation as a strong player in the global fight against terrorism remains secure, at least, in the United Nations.

None of the member nations raised questions about Manila’s decision to pull out its contingent in Iraq, according to Lauro Baja Jr., Manila’s envoy to the UN.

"This is because in the multilateral forums, the Philippines, through the President, has established its credentials as a leader in the fight against terrorism in the national, regional and international arena," Baja said in a statement. — Marichu Villanueva, Marvin Sy